Traditionally each area in Greece has its own traditional Greek Christmas food. In northern parts (the mountainside) the Christmas dinner consists of comfort stews and soups while in other areas, they serve roasted pork or beef along with homemade rustic pies.
As for desserts? There's really nothing better to serve on Christmas day than Greek desserts. Warm, comforting full of spices and aromas very Christmas-y! So here's what you would find on a Greek Christmas table...
LAHANODOLMADES - Stuffed Cabbage Rolls In Egg & Lemon Sauce
This hearty stew is served on Christmas day in many areas around Greece. The cabbage leaves symbolize the cloth that baby Jesus was wrapped in.
A very aromatic and flavorful roasted pork shoulder served with potatoes and flavored with orange. Roast pork is what's traditionally served on the Greek Christmas table. And this one has been brined overnight and then slowly roasted covered until it gets perfectly tender!
AVGOLEMONO - Egg & Lemon Chicken Soup With Rice
Nice and creamy this comforting soup is either served as a main dish along with Greek pies or you can serve it as a starter. Cook it using a large, free-range chicken or rooster to make this dish truly stand out!
Slow Cooked Leg Of Lamb With Potatoes
Lamb is almost every Greek's favorite meat. Therefore we won't miss a chance to cook it for any celebration. Most times it gets slowly cooked in the oven, along with the potatoes to the point it falls of the bone.
SPANAKOPITA - Spinach Pie With Homemade Phyllo
This rustic, old-fashioned Greek pie can't be missing from any Greek celebration table. And although most of the time it is made with storebought phyllo, using homemade phyllo instead makes a huge difference in flavor.
MOSHARI LEMONATO - Stove Top Pot Roast With Lemon Gravy
A truly unique dish made with a part of beef that's more budget-friendly. Loaded with garlic and served with the most amazing lemon gravy. Again a classic Greek holiday meal.
There isn't a more wintry comforting dessert than a proper homemade apple pie. This one is made with a sugar cookie crust and a jam-like spiced apple filling. A must try!
A traditional Greek Christmas bread, filled with walnuts, raisins, and spices. When served everyone gathers around and holds it while the oldest family member cuts it, by creating a cross at center first.
Beef Stew With Tomato-Wine Sauce & Spices
This hearty stew is served on Christmas day in some areas of Greece, usually along with rice or pasta. Goes well with Greek pies as a side like a Tiropita or Spanakopita that are never missing from a Greek feast!
KOURABIETHES - Almond Shortbread Cookies
These cookies are in every Greek home during Christmas time. Its the cookie we leave for Santa on Christmas eve, next to the fireplace, along with a glass of scotch and a carrot for his reindeer!
MELOMAKARONA - Honey Cookies With Walnuts
These cookies are soaked in a honey syrup, flavored with warm Christmas spices, and topped with extra honey and lots of walnuts. Melomakarona go hand in hand with Kourabiethes and they're in every Greek home during Christmas.
ISLI - Walnut-stuffed semolina cookies
These are amongst the best Greek Christmas cookies! They are very similar to Melomakarona. They're also made with semolina but they are filled with a delicious filling of spices, ground walnuts, and a hint of cocoa!
KARYDOPITA - Syrup Soaked Walnut Cake
If let's say you attended a Greek dinner that's what you'd probably get for dessert. An old-fashioned Greek cake, full of spices, and walnuts, completely soaked in syrup. Imagine all the flavor of Baklava in a cake!
DIPLES - Fried Pastry With Syrup & Walnuts
Another very traditional Greek sweet served on Christmas day. Diples means folded. And it's a pastry that gets folded while it gets deep-fried. Diples are then either soaked or drizzled with a warm honey syrup. Utterly crispy and delicious!
VASILOPITA - Greek New Year's Cake
A soft, buttery cake, flavored with orange and brandy and a hidden coin inside. Traditionally served on New Year's Day. Whoever finds the coin is to have good luck for the whole year!
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